• ‘Atheism is not a religion’ • Applauds to Miss Saigon • Poker Run was a success • Clean up our act ‘Atheism is not a religion’ I would like to comment on Mr. Rosen’s letter on atheists. Agnostics are
• ‘Atheism is not a religion’ • Applauds to Miss Saigon • Poker Run was a success • Clean up our act
‘Atheism is not a religion’
I would like to comment on Mr. Rosen’s letter on atheists.
Agnostics are atheists who are afraid to say they are atheists. Atheism is not a religion. Atheists are people who don’t believe any of the existing religions are right.
Every religion man has come up with (over 2,000 and counting) has holes big enough to fly an Airbus 380 through.
Inside all of us is a deep seated desire for answers. And when we can’t find the answer we make one up. Which is fine.
Just don’t condemn, kill, or imprison me if I don’t share your belief. All religions have some great philosophies and as we also know some very bad ones too.
As we move forward and our knowledge grows, new beliefs will develop. I encourage you to investigate them all. A relatively new belief is “Human Design.”
It helps answer a lot of questions about who we are and why we do the things we do. It’s filled in a few more blanks for me.
Honesty, respect, and tolerance are what I will continue to “preach.”
Live, love, and laugh.
John Tanner
Lihu‘e
Applauds to Miss Saigon
Miss Saigon was wonderful. We attended Saturday’s performance and walked away singing. This is the kind of entertainment Kaua‘i deserves and everyone should support.
Being fans of Broadway musical theater we were overwhelmed with the superb singing and acting by the cast. The sets were inventive and the atmosphere electric. We understand this play will also be performed next weekend.
Don’t miss it.
Bill Doherty
Kapa‘a
Poker Run was a success
On Sunday, May 5, I had the pleasure of attending a poker run at Oma’o motorcycle park to honor the memory of a young boy who unfortunately left us at an early age. He and his family were avid members and participants in the “Garden Island Motorcyle Club.”
Safety was paramount, all precautions were required and in place during this ride. Helmets, gloves, chest and eye protection, knee and elbow pads and boots were used by racers.
The off-road motocross event consisted of almost 200 riders and about 25 quads with more than 600 family members enjoying at least 75 miles of trails over various terrain with many obstacles. There were four classes of riders from expert to novice.
Rider ages ranged from 5 years to over 50 years. Many trophies were awarded and wonderful items raffled off via entry ticket stubs.
Watching the keiki win races or place and win raffles for bicycles, helmets, etc., was an exciting end to a great family oriented day.
This close-knit community teaches values that kids need and deserve — camaraderie, the joy and benefit of helping others, following rules and personal achievement through hard work and the continual effort to excel at your passions as well as life in general.
I want to personally thank Brandon Kanei and Bertram Almeida for facilitating this great event.
Wil Gorman
Kapa‘a
Clean up our act
Kaua‘i’s canoe races provide lots of excitement exercise and camaraderie. From a cultural standpoint I respect them and feel that everyone’s relationship with the ocean can be sacred. Canoe racing is an extension of that.
This past Saturday at Hanalei was the first race of the season on our North Shore. Over the past few years Hanalei has been the host site for all of Kaua‘i’s canoe races. The condition of the beach on the following morning has always been immaculate.
I only wish I could say the same for this past weekend. Unfortunately beside food wrappings littered all over the beach there were discarded tires from canoe trailers, abandoned beach umbrellas, kids plastic pails, shovels and toy trucks along with a multitude of plastic water bottles.
Parking surrounding the area on Saturday was the worst its ever been. And the “no parking” signs which were implemented for safety sake were violated all day. However, no tickets were issued.
The narrowing of Weke Road near the pavilion was a major hazard. It was an accident waiting to happen, and which of course would be followed by a lawsuit that us as taxpayers would eventually have to pay. This aside from the potential injury or even loss of life.
This year, aside from the usual Kaua‘i race schedule in Hanalei, the state races will also be in Hanalei. The infrastructure and environment will be stressed. Based on this past Sunday’s beach condition, I ask the proper organizations to please encourage folks to pick up their belongings and litter following each race day. Maybe a cleanup committee could be assigned to make sure that such requests actually happen. Or even rotate where a different club be in charge of such cleanups following each race.
During state championships, the county and state needs to create along racing associations an innovative arrangement for transportation and parking to and from the race site. It will be needed this year to handle the crowds flowing in and out of Hanalei during that weekend. In fact every weekends’ parking situations around our beaches on the North Shore are stressed. And if Hanalei is to remain a prime attraction for such events while still maintaining a semblance of a residential neighborhood, it would be wise to plan for such accordingly.
Showing respect for the beach and surroundings leading up to, during and following such an event can and should set examples for others.
The beaches are an important part of our lives for many reasons … recreationally, economically and spiritually. Please respect them as they were meant to be. Such respect can go a long way in building a healthy ocean-aware state of mind on our island.
Kaua‘i is small enough where we all can make a difference and we all can set examples and set the pace for others to follow … around our island and around the world.
Andy Melamed
Hanalei
